Grab bucket



June 18, 1929- E.'v E. BRoslUs GRAB BUCKET Filed April 10, 1925 5. Sheets-Sheet l ENTOR @ym C9- A .5 ffm/m@ June 18, 1929. E BRoslU-s 1.717.549

GRAB BUCKET Filed April l0, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June l8, 1929. E E, BRoslUs 1,717,549

GRAB BUCKET Filed April 10, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 75V f7 5 lll" vvvvv eitented .lune l, i929.

errno s'rrss EDGAR E. BROSIUS, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

GRAB BUCKET.

Application filed April 10, 1925.

The present invention relates broadly to material handling apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus of thek so-called eX- cavating or grab bucket type comprising openable sections,

It is customary at the present time in the art to which the present invention relates to provide buckets both of the single line and two line type. ln the useof such single line buckets it has frequently been found that a comparatively large body will become lodged between the edges of the bucket sections and prevent complete closing thereof. Later, when the bucket is tripped, a considerable relative movement occurs between the cross head and the bucket before the cross head is checked by the bucket. If the bucket is handling a heavy load, it is readily apparent that the checking of this relative movement will throw a sudden st "ain, not only on the bucket n arts, but also on the hoist cable, the strain frequently being enough to snap the cable. Y

In' the larger installations utilizing two lines this disadvantage is eliminated by permi tting the hold line to hold the bucket while the other line isfbeingpayed out to open the bucket. rlhe same is likewise true of buckets of the type having a motor in the head of the bucket for operating the bucket sections. I am not aware`,fhowever, that it has heretofore been considered feasible to provide any construction adaptable to single line buckets for positively controlling the opening `movement to .eliminate such sudden shocks, and enable checking ofthe opening movement at any point from closed position to fully opened position.

The present invention has for certain of its objects, therefore, the construction of a grab bucket, and more particularly of the single line type, having means for preventing the possibility of sudden shocks during the opening movement of vthe bucket, and enabling the checking or stopping of the opening movement at will.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a form of bucket control adapted to be applied at will to standard bucket structures, or to be incorporated in new buckets.

ln the accompanyingr drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration only, a preferred cn'ibodiment of the present inven tien, it being understood that tbe drawings do Serial No. 22,207.

not define the limits of my invention, as changes in the construction and operation disclosed therein may be made without departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of my broader claims.

ln the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bucket embodying the present invention, the bucket sections being shownin opened position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, the bucket sections, however, being shown in closed position, and a portion of the control section being broken away.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the construction illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure Zlis a top plan view of the construction illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail transverse sectional View on an enlarged scale on the line V-V of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a valve `mechanism for controlling the operation of the bucket. l

In illustrating the present invention I have elected to show a bucket ofthe general charaoter described in my prior Patent No. 1,228,526 of June 5, 1917, although the utility of the invention is not limited to buckets yof this specific construction or operation.

ln carrying out the present invention there may be provided a bucket comprising sections' 2 and 8 each having projecting bearing brackets 4- and 5 respectively, which are in turn provided with bearing portions 6 and 7 adapted to be brought into alignment for the reception of a shaft 8. This shaft is preferably a continuous one extending transversely of the bucket and providing apivotal connection between the sections during their opening and closing movements. In accordance with the present invention the bearing portions 6 may be connected by an intermediate centering guard 9. The shaft and bearing portions 6 may be secured against relative movement, and the bearing portions 7 left free to rotate on the shaft 8. In this case there may be secured to the shaft between the sides of the guard 9 a crank arm 1() adapted to move in unison with the section 2, the bearing bracket 4, the bearing portions 6, the shaft 8 and the guard 9 as the bucket sections move from one position to the other. lf desired, however, the bearing portions 7 may be secured against rotation on the shaft 6, while CJi the crank being secured to the portions 6 for movement therewith, this latter structure be- A ing preferable due to the relatively smaller bearing surfaces of the portions 7. The par-V ticular construction in this respect is relatively immaterial, as 1t 1s only essential that the crank arm 10 move 'concomitantly with oneV of the bucket sections. y

The outer ycorners of each of the sections 2 and 3 are pivotally connected to links 11 and 12 respectively. The links 11 are preferably eXter'ided at their upper ends in the form of pairs of spaced substantially horizontally projecting plates 13. The rfree ends of the plates 13 are connected by a transverselyr eX- tending pivot shaft 14, and the upper ends of the links 12 are pivotally carried by this shaft. The pivotal connection between the lower ends rof the links 12 and the bucket sectionr 3 may comprise short pins 15,'wliile the connection for the lowerl ends of the links 11 is preferably formed by a lcontinuous pivot shaft 16. Cooperating with the links 11 for bracingwthe same are a-ngularlyr extending braces 17 connected at their lower ends tothe central upper outer portion of the section 2, and at then' .upper ends to the horizontal plates 13.

VJournaled between each paii` of plates 13 is a sheave 18 having one face directly in the vertical plane of the shaft 8. Freely movable between the links 11'and 12 from the dotted line position of FigureV 1 to the Afull line'posi.- tion of `Figure 2, is a cross head 19 having journaled in its outer end sheaves 2O having their outer faces in the vertical'planer of the respective sheaves 18. The cross head 19 is provided with vertically exteudinor openings 21 for the passage of cables 22 which extend downwardly through the cross head and then divide, one'passing` .below each of the sheaves and thence upwardly overthe correspond-Y f ing sheaves k18, from which they pass downwardly to thecross head where they may be dead ended.y The cables may have the usual eye 22a for a crane hook.

Pivctally secured atV one end to the mounting 23 on the lower side of Vthe cross hea-d, and at its opposite end to the shaft 16, is a cross head guide lever 23. Intermediate its ends this guide lever is bifurcated and provided with trunnion mountings 21 for a `cylinder 25; rhis cylinder maybe of the so-called cataract type adapted to contain oil or other non-comp-ressible fluid. Vforking within the cylinder is a piston having a pistonV rod 26 pivotally connected at its lower end to the outer end of the crank arm 10.

Extending from endto end of the cylinder 25 andl forming a bypass between the opposite ends thereof, is a bypass 27 having intermediate its length a controlling valve 2? which is normally urged toward closed posiytion in'k any desired manner as by a Spring shown in Figure 6. Cooperating with the Vvalve is an operating pulley 28 adapted to be In Operation, it may be assumed that the parts areiin the position illustrated in Figure 27 the bucket havingelevated its load and y moved'it to the kpoint of discharge. The control line is pulled to open the valve 27a. This permits the fluid Within the cylinder 25 to iow from the'lower end thereof to the upper end, thereby permitting the piston rod 26 to lower at a speed directly controllable by the opening of the valve 27a. As the piston rod isY connected to the crank arm 10, which in turnV is connected to one of the'bucket sections, Yhereinillustrated as the section 2, with which it is alwaysadapted to move in unison, it will be apparent that the descent of the piston rod controls the opening movement of the bucketsections, these sections always tending to vopen under the influence of gravity. Y 1f. the valve 27a is held open Vfor a long enough period of time, the sections will move to the position shown in Figure 1, while if the valve is released the sections may be positively'stopped in their opening movement at any desired intermediate point. 1n this manner, the speed of opening movement is Valways under the direct and positive control of the operator, and thebucket and hoist cable need never Abe subjected to any sudden shocks. This constitutes a very valuable feature of the present invention.

After the bucket has been permitted to diss charge, the hoist cable is lowered, thereby loweringthe bucket until it rests'in open posi- Across head to move from itsdotted line position of Figure 1 to its fullline position of this figure, this movement beingpermitted by a one-way operating check valve 30 adapted to open upon upward movement of the ypiston to permit the fluid :to pass freely through the piston. Baring 'this movement', the pivotal connection 23 will describe the arc A,while the axis of the trunnions 211 will describe the arc B. The cylinder 25 will assume the successive positions indicated in Figure 1, the weight ofthe crosshead beingsuiiicient to cause the piston rod t-o move upwardly in the cylinder yand displace fluid from the upper into the lower endthrough the check valve 30. then the parts have reached the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, and the hoist cable is taken up the cross head will tend to return from its full line position of Figure 1 to the position shown in; Figure 2. During fluid in the cylinder 25 Will form a positive lock against any accidental movement of the bucket sections toward open position.

The cylinder 25 and its cooperating mechanism constitutes a self-effective or nonpovver means acting in effectas a brake, thereby distinguishing from an electric motor or the like which is not self-effective but Which requires connection with an external source of' power. The braking means herein disclosed is normally effective, While a motor of the character heretofore utilized is normally ineffective. It Will be rreadily apparent to those skilled in the art that a self-effective means may assume many different embodiments, and I therefore use the expression generically as definitive of the general type of mechanism. Furthermore, the ,bucket sections herein shown are movable to closed position by the suspending means, thereby further distinguishing from power motor'structures in Which the motor efl'ects closing movement.

The advantages of the present invention arise from the provision of a bucket having means independently of the hoist cable and not requiring any external power for positively controlling the opening movement'ofl the bucket sections.

Further advantages arise from the provision of a single line gravity opening bucket having means for positively controlling the opening speed of the bucket.

I claim:

1. In a bucket, openable sections, suspending means for the bucket operable for closing said sections, and means carried by the bucket for controlling the opening speed of the sections and biased to lock the sections against movement.

2. In a bucket, openable sections, suspending means for the bucket operable for closing said sections, and fluid pressure means carried by the bucket for kcontrolling the opening speed of the sections and for locking the sections in any desired position.

3. In a bucket, openable sections, a single suspending means for the bucket operable for closing said sections, and means connected at one end only to the bucket and movable relatively to said single suspending means for controlling the opening speed of the sections.

4. In a bucket, openable sections, hydraulic means for holding said sections closed, a bypass for said means, and a release valve for said by-pass to permit the sections to gradually open.

5. In a bucket, openable sections, hydraulic means for holding said sections closed, and a bypass for said hydraulic means to permit the sections to gradually open.

6. Material handling apparatus, compris-` ing a single line bucket having sections adapted to be moved to closed position by said single line, .and hydraulic means having a controllable by-passffor controlling the opening movement ofthe sections.

7 Material handling apparatus, comprisy opening movement of said ysections at will, i

and suspending means for said bucketeffective for closing said sections.

10. Material handling apparatus, comprisf ing a single line bucket having sections adapted to be moved to closed position, ay pivotally mounted control cylinder 'cooperating with said bucket for controlling the opening moven f, nient of the sections and moving relativeto a plane passing substantially through engaging surfaces ofthe bucket sections when in their closed positions, a piston in said cylinder, and a means operatively connecting the piston and one end of the cylinder only to said bucket. y

11. In a bucket, openable sections, a hydraulic cylinder for holding said sections closed, said cylinder being connected atone end only to said bucket, and a by-pass for said cylinder to ually open.

12. In a bucket, openable sections and hydraulic means for controlling the operation of the sections, the hydraulic means comprising a bypass for controlling the opening movement of the sections, and a valve permitting free resetting of the hydraulic means at another stage in the operation of the sections.

13. In a bucket, openable sections and hydraulic means for controlling the operation of the sections, the hydraulic means comprising a bypass and a valve normally urged to closed position disposed in the by-pass Whereby the sections may be permitted to open or lock in a definite position upon the manipulation of the valve. y

14. In a bucket, openable sections and hydraulic means for controlling the operation of the sections, the hydraulic means comprising a bypass for permitting opening movement of the sections and for locking the sections against movement at Will independently of the position of the bucket. f' c In testimony whereof I have hereugto set my hand. f

EDGAR n. BaosiUs.'

permit thesections to gradp 

